Science and Technology Policy for Astronomers Ashlee N. Wilkins, PhD AAS Bahcall Public Policy Fellow @AAS_Policy Astro2020 Early Career Focus Session October 8, 2018
1. Framing: Science Policy in general, and in astronomy 2. How it works: Federal (science) budget process 3. Where we are: Funding, legislation, and major issues in astronomy policy right now 4. What you can do: opportunities for astronomers to get (more) engaged in astronomy policy
Framing: Science Policy in general, and in astronomy
Science and Technology Policy: What is it? Can have a continuous interaction between the two (e.g., climate science). Policy for Science Government and institutional policies, strategies, and resources that impact the conduct and practice of scientific research and the systematic pursuit of knowledge. vs. Science for Policy Scientific methods, findings, and knowledge that inform and enhance the development and implementation of government and institutional policies, regulations, and programs. Astronomy mostly lives on this side though space weather, planetary defense, planetary protection, SETI, etc. are stretching us further over here.
All R&D Funding Sources in the U.S. Universities Federal Other Industry AAAS/N SF
Basic Research Funding Sources in the U.S. Universities Other Federal Industry AAAS/N SF
Policy and Regulation Students/Education Publications The Federal Government of the United States Proposals Funding You Data Policy and Regulation Collaborations
CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT FUNDERS Federal Astronomy Policy Ecosystem Department of Energy > Office of Science > High Energy Physics Division > Cosmic Frontier Program NASA > Science Mission Directorate > Astrophysics Division NSF > Research and Related Activities > Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate (MPS) > Astrophysics Division (AST) NSF > Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) Private Foundations (e.g., Carnegie, Simons, etc.) House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittees: Commerce, Justice, and Science Energy and Water Authorization Committee: Science, Space, and Technology OPERATORS Industry (e.g., Lockheed Martin, Ball, Northrop Grumman) Contractors/Managing Organizations (e.g., AURA, USRA, AUI) Institutions (e.g., universities, NASA centers, private labs) Senate Appropriations Subcommittees: Commerce, Justice, and Science Energy and Water Authorization Committees: Commerce, Science, and Transportation Energy and Natural Resources Agency Advisory Committees National Academies (e.g., SSB, BPA, CAA, CORF, ad hoc studies) Scientific Societies (e.g., AAS) Lobbyists (of operators) ADVISORS
Critical Inputs/Rulers Community-based priority setting
How it works: Federal (science) budget process With significant attribution to Matt Hourihan/AAAS
Federal Budget: FY 2018 Total outlays: $4.4 trillion Social Security $984 Nondefense Discretionary $720 Nondefense R&D $76 Medicare $454 Defense Discretionary $700 Medicaid $383 R&D Estimates: Matt Hourihan/AAAS Other Mandatory $756 Interest $316 Defense R&D $101
OMB White House Budget Request House Senate OSTP Budget Agreement (spending caps) NASA NSF Appropriations Bills Department of Energy Executive Branch Legislative Branch
OMB White House OSTP tl;dr: Budget Request House Senate The President Proposes, Budget Agreement Congress Disposes. (spending caps) NASA NSF AKA Appropriations Bills Department of Energy The power of the purse Executive Branch Legislative Branch
The Federal Budget Process Regular order but highly irregular FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020 CY 2017 CY 2018 CY 2019 FY 2018 FY 2019 Figure from Kevin Marvel, adapted from Matt Hourihan/AAAS We are here
Enter In: Continuing Resolutions (CRs) Government Accountability Office (GAO), February 2018
Where we are: Funding, legislation, and major issues in astronomy policy right now
Science Budgets from the Trump Administration 30% Select Science & Tech Agencies and Programs in the FY 2019 Budget Estimated percentage change from FY 2017 enacted levels, nominal dollars 20% DARPA 10% 0% DOD S&T NIH NSF* DOE Science NASA US Geo Survey -10% -20% USDA R&D -30% -40% -50% -60% NSF NIST DOE Science DOE Tech** NASA NOAA Research DHS S&T EPA S&T -70% FY19 Request + Addendum FY18 Request (Last Year's Budget) *Flat in the FY19 request. *Includes renewables and efficiency, nuclear, fossil, grid research, cybersecurity, ARPA-E. AAAS
Astronomy in the 109 th Congress Largely rejecting Trump proposed cuts to basic science Significant interest in search for life Added to over-arching NASA mission in 2017 NASA Transition Authorization Act Exoplanet and Astrobiology Science Strategy studies Europa Clipper + Lander SETI/Technosignatures Generally supportive and interested
Astronomy in the 109 th Congress FY2018 Funding: Good news
Astronomy in the 109 th Congress FY2019 Funding: TBA (CR through Dec 7)
Astronomy in the 109 th Congress Successful bills and still-active legislation (Passed, technically 108 th ) American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (AICA) (Passed) 2017 NASA Transition Authorization Act (Passed) Energy Research and Innovation Act (Still Active) 2018 NASA Authorization (Still Active) Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act (Still Active) Combating Sexual Harassment In the Sciences Act, Introduced 5 October 2018
Major Issue: JWST (NASA Astrophysics) Current launch date: March 30, 2021 Budget shortfall: $490 million over two years (FY20-21) NASA has a proposal for addressing the budget shortfall, but it will not be public until the FY20 budget request. From NASA Astrophysics Division Director Paul Hertz to AAAC (September):
Major Issue: JWST (NASA Astrophysics) Current launch date: March 30, 2021 Budget shortfall: $490 million over two years (FY20-21) NASA has a proposal for addressing the budget shortfall, but it will not be public until the FY20 budget request. From NASA Astrophysics Division Director Paul Hertz to AAAC (September): Does this mean only within Astrophysics, or other SMD division missions?
2011 JWST Rebaseline Lifecycle Cost: $8.835 Billion Development Cap: $7.998 B Operations Estimate: $837 M $200 M Remaining Reserves $23 M Operations Adjustment for Inflation $310 M Intended FY19 FY21 Operations Budget $490 M FY20-21 Budget Shortfall 2018 JWST New Baseline Lifecycle Cost: $9.663 Billion
Major Issue: WFIRST (NASA Astrophysics) A timeline of community input: 2011: Top-priority large space mission in Astro2010 2012: NASA receives gift telescope assemblies 2013: Harrison Report (National Academies) 2016: Astrophysics Midterm Review 2017: WIETR 2018: Proposed Cancellation Bottom line: project still proceeding as if it will launch in 2025. Coronagraph is a tech demo. Starshade compatibility maintained. Cap is $3.2 B (for now).
Major Issue: NSF Facilities Operations & Maintenance
Major Issue: NSF Facilities Operations & Maintenance NSF funds construction costs only of major (>$75 million) through the agency-wide Major Research Equipment and Facility Construction (MREFC) account Operations and maintenance costs (O&M) are borne by the division (or directorate) using the facility For last 10 years, NSF budget has been flat, even as costs to build, operate, and maintain leading-edge facilities has grown. This model necessitates having major projects lined up maintain the budget line (a feature, not a bug) Astronomy in particular has and continues to facing mounting pressures on grants and O&M costs. Right now, there is not space in the NSF AST budget for the coming LSST wedge. Recent NSB report, Study of O&M Costs for NSF Facilities (May)
Science/Astronomy in Congress In general What motivates a member of Congress? Media Personal Conviction/Issues District
Science/Astronomy in Congress In general Given the generally bipartisan support of basic research, particularly for astronomy, and the relatively small size of the necessary budgets, individual members of Congress with the right combinations of personal conviction and district interest can have significant impact on the policies funding and governing astronomy for better or for worse. Some examples: Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) (Green Bank and NSF MREFC) Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) (HST and JWST) Senator Richard Bryan (R-NV) (canceling SETI) But Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) might succeed in bringing SETI back Representative John Culberson (R-TX) (Europa Clipper+Lander)
Science/Astronomy in Congress In general Given the generally bipartisan support of basic research, particularly for astronomy, and the relatively small size of the necessary budgets, individual members of Congress with the right combinations of personal conviction and district interest can have significant impact on the policies funding and governing astronomy for better or for worse. Engagement with policymakers on astronomy policy thus represents an opportunity and a responsibility unique even just within science policy.
What you can do: opportunities for astronomers to get (more) engaged in astronomy policy
In general, science and engineering enjoy a broad base of support! The only reason that science lacks support is that other priorities rank higher.
People who say the government should have a major role in In general, science and engineering enjoy a broad base of support! The only reason that science lacks support is that other priorities rank higher.
% of U.S. adults who say each of the following should be a top priority for NASA: In general, science and engineering enjoy a broad base of support! The only reason that science lacks support is that other priorities rank higher.
Critical Inputs/Rulers Community-based priority-setting
1. Serve on an advisory committee 1. Federal: Every division, directorate, agency has them 2. Non-governmental: observatory users committees, boards of operators/nonprofits, institutional committees, etc. 3. Usually have to be at a faculty level, but not always for subcommittees 4. Start by listening to their public meetings 2. Talk to your elected officials 1. Professional societies organize coordinated visits with training 2. Invite your representatives to visit your institution 3. Get to know your university s Federal Relations Office 3. Get organized Want to do something? Actions to take 1. Start/join a local chapter of a science policy organization.
Want to do something? Places to start 1. Organizations you re already in Professional Societies Institutional Federal Relations Office 2. (Some) Organizations you may want to check out Nonpartisan/Non-activist (mostly) American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Engineers and Scientists Engaging in Policy (ESEP) Engineers and Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL) Lean partisan/activist (arguably, in some cases) March for Science 500 Women Scientists Science for the People Union of Concerned Scientists 3. News sources for astronomy+ policy news American Institute of Physics (AIP) FYI SpaceNews SpacePolicyOnline AAS Policy Blog
Want to do more? Actions to take 1. Student (undergrad/grad) opportunities 1. Birkner Fellowship (Space Studies Board) 2. Mirzayan Fellowship 2. Post-PhD (Postdoc/faculty) opportunities 1. AAAS Science and Technology Fellowship Program 1. Congressional and Executive Branch 2. Can go through AAAS or some individual societies 2. California Science and Technology Policy Fellowship 3. Agency rotator (Intergovernmental Personnel Act)
Want to do even more? (careers in science policy) 1. Executive Agencies 1. Science agencies 2. Regulatory/service agencies 2. Congressional Research Service 3. Office of Management and Budget 4. Congressional Staffer 5. Advocacy Organizations 6. Professional Societies 7. Be an Elected Official
Extra Slides
Science Policy Central Black Hole Mass How do they know about each other? Galactic Velocity Dispersion My highly accurate version of Gültekin et al. 2009
Advocacy at the AAS AAS Members How do they know about each other? Policy Makers AAS Public Policy Office My highly accurate version of Gültekin et al. 2009
Advocacy at the AAS Faculty Students Administrators Communicators Postdocs AAS Members Educators Instrument Builders Researcher s Engineers Committee on Astronomy and Public Policy (CAPP) Elected Representatives White House Advisory Groups Policymakers Congressional Staffers Agency Admins
Advocacy at the AAS Congressional Visits Days AAS Policy Blog Division Coordination Advisory Committees Local visits Budget Authorization Congressional Hearings Immigration policies Science education AAS Members Science Community Policymakers
Advocacy at the AAS: Policymakers Our messages to policymakers are often coordinated with science and research coalitions. Physical Sciences Education Coalition (PSEPC) Task Force on American Innovation (TFAI) Coalition for Aerospace and Science Coalition for the NSF (CNSF) USCAS GATF
Talking to your elected officials Be an example of the science work being done in your district/state. Tell them about your work/education and about the role of federal support in that work. Politics is always local.
AAS Congressional Visits Day 2016 2017
As a private citizen, you are never a lobbyist.
If a Member/Senator has not already arrived at a firm decision, how much influence might different advocacy strategies in the DC office have? Congressional Management Foundation
The public trusts scientists!
Advocating for Science 1. Do no harm We don t advocate cutting other science/projects. If one discipline is targeted, we all lose. We don t advocate partisan solutions We don t present science as an entitlement 2. Remember your audience 3. Your reputation as a scientist matters
National Science Board (NSB) National Science and Engineering Indicators 2018